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In regards to the FTM stuff. When I had my install done originally back in Sept my installer said sometimes he has seen it where the antenna diplexing does not harm the signal, and others when it does. What are your thoughts? I recall after he hooked it up, everything including my MP4 locals, was working but signal was low. So I hopped up in the attic and disconnected the antenna and diplexer. However there was no difference at all in the local (99*) signal. it turns out the dish wasn't peaked nor tightened up to well, so I have not accurately tested it since.
I CAN move my antenna to roof (in attic) and come in through outside wall, but obviously I would rather not and it is a bit nipley out.

In regards to the FTM stuff. When I had my install done originally back in Sept my installer said sometimes he has seen it where the antenna diplexing does not harm the signal, and others when it does. What are your thoughts? I recall after he hooked it up, everything including my MP4 locals, was working but signal was low. So I hopped up in the attic and disconnected the antenna and diplexer. However there was no difference at all in the local (99*) signal. it turns out the dish wasn't peaked nor tightened up to well, so I have not accurately tested it since. I CAN move my antenna to roof (in attic) and come in through outside wall, but obviously I would rather not and it is a bit nipley out.

For shame! A Green Bay fan, and worried about it being a bit nippy?

It will interfere later, when the MP4s become more prevalent. If I were you, I'd bite the bullet, put on several layers of clothes and do it right. As I recall, you might be ok for quite some time (certainly until spring/summer)...someone else can comment on the timeline, so if you wimp out and want to get by until warm weather, you might do ok...but you are going to have to stop the diplexing sooner or later.

In regards to the FTM stuff. When I had my install done originally back in Sept my installer said sometimes he has seen it where the antenna diplexing does not harm the signal, and others when it does. What are your thoughts? I recall after he hooked it up, everything including my MP4 locals, was working but signal was low. So I hopped up in the attic and disconnected the antenna and diplexer. However there was no difference at all in the local (99*) signal. it turns out the dish wasn't peaked nor tightened up to well, so I have not accurately tested it since. I CAN move my antenna to roof (in attic) and come in through outside wall, but obviously I would rather not and it is a bit nipley out.

Ignore the rabble (meant affectionately). Packer fans can get cold too, we just know how to dress appropriately for the cold.

Where are you in relation to the towers? You likely can keep the antenna in the attic, but place it as close to the wall/roof side facing the towers and be good. (I'm 40 miles away from SLC towers and outdoor antenna mounted in attic has worked great.)

Then, can you drop the coax inside the wall to the HR20? Keeps everything neat (my wife appreciates that aspect). Or down an inside wall to crawlspace/basement and come back up into HR20?

This is a long shot but I would swap out the monster cable, especially if it isn't RG-6. But even if it is, a 3-ft RG-6 from Radio Shack would be worth a try. I've heard a lot of strange stories about monster cables.

Ok, here's the OTA puzzle.

I have a Terk HDTVs mounted on the roof of my apartment building and an independent run to a ASKA Model: AM-125 25db Gain Distribution Amplifier inside near the HR20 and a 3ft Monster Coax to the HR20.

Now here's the puzzle, when the antenna is hooked directly to my TV Sony KDFE50A10, I get every possible Off Air channel available here in Los Angeles. When I hook it up to the HR20 (Same for the ole' HR10-250), I get PBS-HD but nothing else.

What a puzzle! I would love to have the same performance OTA as my TV in the HR20. Help anyone?

Then, can you drop the coax inside the wall to the HR20? Keeps everything neat (my wife appreciates that aspect). Or down an inside wall to crawlspace/basement and come back up into HR20?

Cheers,Tom

Oh trust me I do all I can to keep my "goodies" in line so it is okay to her. She has trouble enough with the tiny Sirius antenna on top of the tv. Unfortunately I have also tried this. However I have vaulted ceilings in my LR and it is a VERY tight squeeze up there between rafters and roof. I CANNOT get close enough to the wall to do this I tried snaking up from bottom and grabbing it up there as well, but no luck. My best option would be popping out the soffit and getting at it that way, but that isn't all that easy or fun. I just know it is visible because I had a repair in soffit I did earlier in the year. I will try inside antenna for now as it is just one VHF channel I need and I am not all too far from towers.

I'm mostly satisfied with the local channels over the dish, so I'm trying to figure out how much effort I'm willing to put into getting OTA working. I currently have the indoor rabbit ears with the UHF loop, but it doesn't cut it.

1. Is the OTA signal compressed (such as MPEG 4), or is there some other format used that usually provides a slightly better PQ than sat MPEG 4?
2. Does the 5LNB dish include support of any time for an OTA antenna? Something perhaps like an add-on and/or make use of existing cabling?

Basically, if I have to install an outside antenna, run cable and switches or boxes or splitters or whatever-plexors it won't be worth it. TIA!

I'm mostly satisfied with the local channels over the dish, so I'm trying to figure out how much effort I'm willing to put into getting OTA working. I currently have the indoor rabbit ears with the UHF loop, but it doesn't cut it.

1. Is the OTA signal compressed (such as MPEG 4), or is there some other format used that usually provides a slightly better PQ than sat MPEG 4?2. Does the 5LNB dish include support of any time for an OTA antenna? Something perhaps like an add-on and/or make use of existing cabling?

Basically, if I have to install an outside antenna, run cable and switches or boxes or splitters or whatever-plexors it won't be worth it. TIA!

1) Sure it's compressed, every signal is. How much depends on your local stations. My CBS for example has bad HD OTA because it has 2 subchannels and bit starves it's HD. But OTA is generaly accepted as better quality/PQ. It's the best you can get. In my market OTA and MPEG4 from D* is pretty close. If you are satisfied with what you get from D* then I wouldn't worry about OTA unless you want the subchannels or others not available via D*.

I'm mostly satisfied with the local channels over the dish, so I'm trying to figure out how much effort I'm willing to put into getting OTA working. I currently have the indoor rabbit ears with the UHF loop, but it doesn't cut it.

1. Is the OTA signal compressed (such as MPEG 4), or is there some other format used that usually provides a slightly better PQ than sat MPEG 4?2. Does the 5LNB dish include support of any time for an OTA antenna? Something perhaps like an add-on and/or make use of existing cabling?

Basically, if I have to install an outside antenna, run cable and switches or boxes or splitters or whatever-plexors it won't be worth it. TIA!

Basically, the signal you get OTA is as good as it's going to get...and it is outstanding. ATSC uses MPEG-2 for compression. There are probably more channels available in your area via OTA than what D* sends you over the SAT. Also, there is something satisfying about recieving a beautiful HD picture with the same antennas that my Dad and Grandfather used to get snowy pictures 30 years ago.

If you are satisfied with what you get from D* then I wouldn't worry about OTA unless you want the subchannels or others not available via D*.

I would say this is really the major factor: What do you want to watch?If you're already getting it via 5LNB, and OTA is a hassle to set up, forget about it! But if there's quality programming you are missing without OTA and it's not likely to be added to D* anytime soon, you might want to give OTA a shot.

Last night I had both satellite tuners recording programs at the same time (My Name is Earl and Survivor). While this recording was happening I decided to watch a third, previously recorded program from my program list at the same time, - no problem, as usual.

I then decided to experiment and stopped the previous recorded program, went to the program guide and selected an OTA channel. I got the standard screen showing the two programs I set up recording and asking which one I wanted to cancel. I thought the OTA tuners were "independent" and that I would be able to watch live on at least one of the two OTA tuners while the satellite tuners were occupied. Am I missing something?

Last night I had both satellite tuners recording programs at the same time (My Name is Earl and Survivor). While this recording was happening I decided to watch a third, previously recorded program from my program list at the same time, - no problem, as usual.

I then decided to experiment and stopped the previous recorded program, went to the program guide and selected an OTA channel. I got the standard screen showing the two programs I set up recording and asking which one I wanted to cancel. I thought the OTA tuners were "independent" and that I would be able to watch live on at least one of the two OTA tuners while the satellite tuners were occupied. Am I missing something?

It can only do two streams at once. So to watch an OTA it would need to cancel one of the sat recordings. This is no different then the HD-DirecTivo or any of the SD DirecTivo's, only 2 streams at once (and watch a 3rd recorded).

This isn't directed at you personally, but I'm not quite sure why so many people are having trouble with this concept, it's one that we've lived with for years and is nothing new.

The OTA tuners are not independent. You can only have a total of two tuners active at one time, period.

one thing the other poster could do is spit out his OTA cable to his hr-20 and to the back of his television. Then on the rare occasion when he needs to view three programs he could watch one going thru his tv (of course you wouldn`t have and ff, replay or other dvr functions. and record the other two channels for later viewing via the hr-20

Quick question from a long time lurker (at least since the HR20 was available.) I purchased the OTA antenna from D* when I began service with them. It appears to be a multidirectional UHF antenna mounted on the roof near the dish. Is this antenna any good? Or should I make the trek out to my local Radio Shack and pick up a different antenna. BTW I still have a few days till OTA gets activated way up here in the boonies, so I can't test anything just yet.

one thing the other poster could do is spit out his OTA cable to his hr-20 and to the back of his television. Then on the rare occasion when he needs to view three programs he could watch one going thru his tv (of course you wouldn`t have and ff, replay or other dvr functions. and record the other two channels for later viewing via the hr-20

I nominate that for inclusion in Craig's HR20 Tips and Tricks document. I'd include it in my Troubleshooting document but... it's not troubleshooting!

Quick question from a long time lurker (at least since the HR20 was available.) I purchased the OTA antenna from D* when I began service with them. It appears to be a multidirectional UHF antenna mounted on the roof near the dish. Is this antenna any good? Or should I make the trek out to my local Radio Shack and pick up a different antenna. BTW I still have a few days till OTA gets activated way up here in the boonies, so I can't test anything just yet.

Have you used this antenna yet? If it receives your local digital TV channels, then it's fine. Otherwise just wait to try it with your HR20 when OTA is activated. Antenna selection is more art than science. Check out Earl's thread at the top of this Forum for the best antenna selection resources at AVS Forum.